Kuujjuaq’s Aqpik Jam Brings Together Musicians from Nunavik
Aqpik Jam, Nunavik’s largest music festival, ran from August 13 to 16 and hosted a number of well-known and emerging musicians from across the North. Among the rosters of performers were William Tagoona, who was recently inducted to the Ordre des arts et des lettres de Québec, and Beatrice Deer, who returned to the festival for the first time in eight years. Aqpik Jam has run since 1996 and was created to celebrate musicians with roots in Inuit culture. The festival typically takes place during the second week of August to coincide with the ripening of the aqpiks. Liam Callaghan, the festival’s technical director, told Nunatsiaq News that this year was notable for showcasing more bands from Nunavik and a solid lineup of young emerging artists.
Applications Open for SOCAN Foundation and CBC Indigenous Music Residency
On August 12, the SOCAN Foundation and CBC announced the CBC Indigenous Music Residency, a program exclusive to First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists. The residency consists of a four-week immersive program in Toronto, ON, where the six selected participants will connect with industry experts and local Indigenous community members. They will also have access to CBC music and video production facilities and mentorship opportunities. Residents will be commissioned to write two original songs by the end of the residency, which culminates in a performance showcase. This marks the inaugural year of the residency and partnership between SOCAN and CBC. Applications to the program are open until August 29 at 11:59 p.m. eastern.
NTI Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize Accepting Submissions
The third iteration of the Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writing Prize, which was announced earlier this summer, is open for submissions. Organized by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), the prize is open to Inuit writers living in Nunavut and aims to support the publication of literary works written in Inuktut, in an effort to strengthen and promote the language. The grand prize is $80,000 and includes a residency and mentorship opportunity to develop a full-length book. Four additional prizes of $10,000, $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 will also be awarded to writers. Past recipients of the award include Looee Arreak and Susan Tigullaraq. Submissions are open until September 22 at 11:59 p.m. eastern.
New App for Learning Inuinnaqtun Launches
An Inuinnaqtun dictionary app is now available for aspiring language learners. Organized by Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq / Kitikmeot Heritage Society (PI) based in Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, the free mobile dictionary app aims to preserve and encourage learning of Inuinnaqtun, which is spoken fluently by less than 500 people across the Arctic and at risk of being lost within two generations, according to PI. The app includes a dictionary, phrase book and audio recordings and is part of a long-term Inuinnaqtun preservation project. Pinnquaq, a non-profit organization founded in Pangniqtuuq (Pangirtung), NU, developed the app’s software. Terminology for the app was gathered from workshops with Iqakuktuuttiaq Elders and knowledge holders as well as a regional committee of Inuinnaqtun experts who also contributed pronunciation to the app. Though the app already contains thousands of Inuinnaqtun words and phrases, the uploading of new words is ongoing.